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An Absence of Natural Light
Terror and romance go hand in hand in F.G Cottam's new novella, An Absence of Natural Light. When Rebecca shows Tom Harper around a new apartment, the attraction between her and the ex-pro footballer is clear from the start.
Getting close to him despite being wary of his playboy footballer image, together they begin to settle Tom in to his new home. But when things start to go bump in the night, the apartment's dark past is revealed. Old landlords and ex-lovers are reluctant to talk about the previous occupant, and why the apartment has stayed empty in the decades that followed her mysterious death. She has left a beguiling, bewitching legacy, which refuses to stay buried.
Tom and Rebecca are keen to live in the present, but is it the past that is living with them?
An Absence of Natural Light is a classic ghost story with a twist.
Getting close to him despite being wary of his playboy footballer image, together they begin to settle Tom in to his new home. But when things start to go bump in the night, the apartment's dark past is revealed. Old landlords and ex-lovers are reluctant to talk about the previous occupant, and why the apartment has stayed empty in the decades that followed her mysterious death. She has left a beguiling, bewitching legacy, which refuses to stay buried.
Tom and Rebecca are keen to live in the present, but is it the past that is living with them?
An Absence of Natural Light is a classic ghost story with a twist.
40 pages, ebook
First published December 10, 2015
12 people are currently reading
83 people want to read
About the author
F.G. Cottam
19 books478 followersReading is a cheap and totally effective way of being transported to another world. The same is true of writing. Mundane concerns only afflict your characters if you decide you want them to.
University was where I first thought seriously about fiction; hearing about Hemingway's iceberg theory and Eliot's objective correlative and having the luxury of time to ponder on the mechanics of the novel.
My first writing was journalism and pieces for I-D, Arena and The Face brought me to the attention of mainstream magazine publishers. In the '90's I edited FHM when it still majored on sport and fashion rather than Hollyoaks starlets and weather girls. Then I launch-edited the UK edition of Men's Health magazine and then came to the conclusion that if I didn't try to write some fiction it was never going to happen.
I read all kinds of fiction, but write stories with a paranormal element I think really because history fascinates me and ghosts allow the past to resonate shockingly, scarily and I hope convincingly, into the present.
I got off to an encouraging start but have suffered a few disappointments since then. I wouldn't in honesty want to do anything else, though. If I write a terrible novel it's my fault entirely. If I write a good novel, it's entirely my achievement.
University was where I first thought seriously about fiction; hearing about Hemingway's iceberg theory and Eliot's objective correlative and having the luxury of time to ponder on the mechanics of the novel.
My first writing was journalism and pieces for I-D, Arena and The Face brought me to the attention of mainstream magazine publishers. In the '90's I edited FHM when it still majored on sport and fashion rather than Hollyoaks starlets and weather girls. Then I launch-edited the UK edition of Men's Health magazine and then came to the conclusion that if I didn't try to write some fiction it was never going to happen.
I read all kinds of fiction, but write stories with a paranormal element I think really because history fascinates me and ghosts allow the past to resonate shockingly, scarily and I hope convincingly, into the present.
I got off to an encouraging start but have suffered a few disappointments since then. I wouldn't in honesty want to do anything else, though. If I write a terrible novel it's my fault entirely. If I write a good novel, it's entirely my achievement.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
February 2, 2016
4.65
Very tight little story about an ex-footballer who falls for a realtor who sells him a house that is haunted. Then some ghostly stuff happens and there is a mystery and so on. Cottam, as usual, does a splendid job in creating an interesting plot and his writing remains excellent. My biggest complaint about An Absence of Natural Light (though this is not the reason for a less than 5 star review per se) is that it should have been a novel. There was so much here that Cottam could have explored and drawn out that I think the novel would have been a better framework than a novella. This to me says a lot about this work since my experience tends towards thinking many novels would have been better novellas or long stories.
As I think on it though, maybe my criticisms of this work are not wholly unrelated to the length of An Absence of Natural Light . I felt that the female lead character, Rebecca, was completely two-dimensional and the relationship between her and the leading man, Tom, was flat. I couldn't particularly see any reason she liked him besides that he was handsome and sweet (and had a footballers body) and likewise, why he liked her (except she was pretty and not entirely stupid?). So, that was sort of disappointing, though Tom himself was craftily created and an interesting character -- one that I wanted to hear more about. The mystery of the haunting was also intriguing, but it could have been drawn-out so easily and in doing so I think that the whole novella would have been more compelling.
That said, I quite liked An Absence of Natural Light and I love F. G. Cottam, so overall I was pleased and think you will be too if you are in the mood for a well-written, light(-ish) ghost story.
Very tight little story about an ex-footballer who falls for a realtor who sells him a house that is haunted. Then some ghostly stuff happens and there is a mystery and so on. Cottam, as usual, does a splendid job in creating an interesting plot and his writing remains excellent. My biggest complaint about An Absence of Natural Light (though this is not the reason for a less than 5 star review per se) is that it should have been a novel. There was so much here that Cottam could have explored and drawn out that I think the novel would have been a better framework than a novella. This to me says a lot about this work since my experience tends towards thinking many novels would have been better novellas or long stories.
As I think on it though, maybe my criticisms of this work are not wholly unrelated to the length of An Absence of Natural Light . I felt that the female lead character, Rebecca, was completely two-dimensional and the relationship between her and the leading man, Tom, was flat. I couldn't particularly see any reason she liked him besides that he was handsome and sweet (and had a footballers body) and likewise, why he liked her (except she was pretty and not entirely stupid?). So, that was sort of disappointing, though Tom himself was craftily created and an interesting character -- one that I wanted to hear more about. The mystery of the haunting was also intriguing, but it could have been drawn-out so easily and in doing so I think that the whole novella would have been more compelling.
That said, I quite liked An Absence of Natural Light and I love F. G. Cottam, so overall I was pleased and think you will be too if you are in the mood for a well-written, light(-ish) ghost story.
May 21, 2017
This was okay, but just not fleshed-out enough to keep my attention (also maybe I was put-off by the protagonist being an ex-professional footballer, a breed of human I just don't care for, fictional or not). Some creepy moments and hints of something bigger lurking in the background, in the form of the sinister and cultish Jericho Society.
November 2, 2017
Trademark Cottam. This isn't a long book, more a novella, but it's managed to pack in a great deal. As usual, I fell for Cottam's characters within a few lines. I have to laugh, but I actually read up a little on the author recently. I wondered why he continually manages to write such great male characters--something which is incredibly rare in these increasingly feminised days. Cottam used to work for some of the best men's mags in London. Men's Fitness, for one. It comes over. His men are real--strong, capable, show authentic emotions, and are usually very fit and attractive. I knew there was a reason I liked these books! But I'm being very shallow (moi?), because Cottam can pull off the exceptionally rare thing of actually writing scenes that are genuinely unnerving. Yes, he often follows a pattern, but in no way are this books formulaic. This shorter book sees the return of the Jericho Company, which formed the basis of the novel Dark Echo. I guess I just like this formula. Something creepily evil happens to a nice person (such as finding a sketch of a cat torturing a mouse suddenly appear as your screensaver--see? Subtle, evil, unnerving). Research and interesting discoveries follow.
I've said it before, but give this author a go. You won't be disappointed.
I've said it before, but give this author a go. You won't be disappointed.
December 17, 2015
A wonderfully wicked, spine tingling novella of modern supernatural horror. Tom Harper is a famous celebrity footballer who decides to buy a new flat in an old converted tenement block. Very soon, night after night, strange noises come from the basement, perfume smells and strange drawings on his laptop. Research leads to a previous occupant with links to the occult who took her own life. Tom's friend Rebecca helps Tom but finds she is mysteriously linked to the supernatural events which could claim her life and change Tom's forever..,...
A highly recommended novella filled with suspense and spine chilling horror. Another superb F G Cottam book.
A highly recommended novella filled with suspense and spine chilling horror. Another superb F G Cottam book.
December 16, 2015
This was a fantastic tale! I cannot recommend it highly enough! F. G. Cottam is in my opinion the best of contemporary writers of supernatural horror fiction. This particular novel was tightly constructed, fast-paced and atmospheric (do not read when you're Home Alone!). The supernatural elements are quite creatively introduced. They are subtle, but add up. To those of us who've read other Cottam novels, the signs and clues are reminiscent of previous chills but can be appreciated by new readers quite as much. The author introduces ordinary things as paranormally creepy and dangerous. His novels are page-turners and this is no exception. The characters are likeable, the scare factor climbs with each page, the connections within the novel and without to earlier stories are well-conceived. When reading Cottam it is wise to note word meanings: place names and sometimes character names are hints! I am often disappointed by books which suggest there is a ghost which turns out to be a child in a white sheet....this is never an issue in Cottam stories. The ghosts are vividly drawn and remain with one long after the last page has been turned. The haunting described in this book is an unusual and ... if one ponders ... terrifying one. If I could give more stars I would! A must-read!
September 1, 2019
OK, but not his best work
OK, but not his best work. As others have said, it might have been better expanded onto a full-length novel.
OK, but not his best work. As others have said, it might have been better expanded onto a full-length novel.
October 30, 2019
Very spooky. But not so spooky that you'll stay up at night in terror. This is a classic boy meets girl story with a demonic twist. It's a quick read and it won't send shivers up your spine. But it has spooky little touches.
July 6, 2017
I've never read an F.G. Cottam book that didn't blow me away with atmosphere and characterization. Very enjoyable afternoon with this creepy tale!
November 9, 2017
I loved the book. However, transitions between scenes were almost indistinguishable.
May 18, 2020
More a novella than a novel, but a good supernatural story.
February 5, 2016
Not one of FGC's best but still worth an hour of your time.
The hero is slightly too goody-goody and the Jericho Society's appearance feels slightly gratuitous but the story is compelling and the sense of time and place is spot on. This would make an excellent Twilight Zone-style episode.
I've read a fair number of his books now and would observe that Mr Cottam has carved himself a niche in creating believable, desirable vamps. I suspect he and I may have had similar formative experiences when it comes to women!
Next up for me is his Dark Resurrection - even when he writes a middling story, he still keeps you coming back for the next one. Maybe 3 stars is a bit parsimonious.
The hero is slightly too goody-goody and the Jericho Society's appearance feels slightly gratuitous but the story is compelling and the sense of time and place is spot on. This would make an excellent Twilight Zone-style episode.
I've read a fair number of his books now and would observe that Mr Cottam has carved himself a niche in creating believable, desirable vamps. I suspect he and I may have had similar formative experiences when it comes to women!
Next up for me is his Dark Resurrection - even when he writes a middling story, he still keeps you coming back for the next one. Maybe 3 stars is a bit parsimonious.
January 21, 2016
A fun and romantic ghost story
This was a clever and romantic ghost novella by one of my favorite horror writers, F. G. Cottam. Real estate agent Rebecca shows handsome and retired footballer (soccer) star Tom Harper an apartment in London with a sketchy past. Rebecca and Tom immediately find themselves attracted to each other, but it turns out there is someone else in the flat who also wants Tom. This is very well written and very enjoyable.
This was a clever and romantic ghost novella by one of my favorite horror writers, F. G. Cottam. Real estate agent Rebecca shows handsome and retired footballer (soccer) star Tom Harper an apartment in London with a sketchy past. Rebecca and Tom immediately find themselves attracted to each other, but it turns out there is someone else in the flat who also wants Tom. This is very well written and very enjoyable.
October 17, 2016
A sweet little story with ghostly elements.
I'd have loved for this to have been a longer story or novel that focuses more on Rachel who was such an interesting character. I'd have really liked to have learned more about her past 'employment' and involvement with the Jericho society.
F G Cottam writes great novels, but this is the first short story I've read from him and I'd be interested in reading more of them.
I'd have loved for this to have been a longer story or novel that focuses more on Rachel who was such an interesting character. I'd have really liked to have learned more about her past 'employment' and involvement with the Jericho society.
F G Cottam writes great novels, but this is the first short story I've read from him and I'd be interested in reading more of them.
December 21, 2016
I just cannot get enough of Cottam's work. I enjoyed the story thoroughly, I just truly wish that it had been written as a novel rather than as a novella. Please don't get me wrong, it is a great story but there was room for more depth and exploration of the haunting. That is why I still rate it as a 5 star, I just think it was a wasted opportunity to have been something more, although it is still a good novella.
December 14, 2015
another eerie one from mr. Cottam.set around the Jericho society which featured in some of his previous books. Rebecca an estate seems to be a dead ringer for Rachel Gaunt who was raised in the jericho society and killed herself to prove she could come back.can rebecca and her new love tom defeat her dark force.
June 9, 2016
Boring , and the kindle story is so poorly edited , that I found it annoying to read .
I know it is a short story ,so your not going to get an in-depth read ,but It just didn't hold my attention , and I found my mind wandering from the storyline .
I know it is a short story ,so your not going to get an in-depth read ,but It just didn't hold my attention , and I found my mind wandering from the storyline .
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews